Koprivnica is a city that was and still is important for Croatia because of its strategic position. The majority of the city population and its surroundings is Croatian, but also other minorities that had to move to a mostly peaceful Podravina region, due to historical circumstances, live there. The political changes that took place in the 1990s and led to the achievement of Croatia's independence, also involved Koprivnica. Residents of Koprivnica have decided that they no longer want to be a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and want to live freely in the new state. Koprivnica was in danger from Yugoslav People's Army forces that were supporting Yugoslavia's exsistence and were located in the city itself. After intense negotiations between the newly-elected Croatian authorities of Koprivnica and Yugoslav People's Army they agreed on a peaceful departure of then already occupant army from the city. After their departure the newly established 117th Brigade of the National Guard which runs through its 1991 and 1992 warfare mainly on the battlefields of Western Slavonia, where Serbs wanted to establish the western border of "Great Serbia" comes to Koprivnica's barracks. Despite the successes, the 117th Brigade did not get too much media attention. The brigade's war journey remained recorded thanks to the Informational and promotional service that was a part of the brigade. With the ban of brigade's operations in 1992 citizens of Koprivnica continued to defend Croatia as part of other troops, such as the 145th tactical group that was in defense of Bosanski Brod. In addition to the combat activities, citizens of Koprivnica showed a significant contribution given in the care of expelled population of war-affected places and it is important to emphasize the "Podravka" food industry that has been helping since the beginning of the armed conflict.